Numerous recent studies have demonstrated the positive impact of various probiotic strains on the immune system. Research conducted by Korean scientists revealed that daily consumption of probiotic yogurt significantly enhanced the activity of essential immune cells in older adults. They found that regularly consuming yogurt containing two probiotic strains, Lactobacillus paracasei and Bifidobacterium lactis, along with heat-treated Lactobacillus plantarum, improved the function of natural killer cells, which play a crucial role in defending against viral infections.
Future applications for Staimune may involve its use as a strengthening ingredient in shelf-stable beverages and other products, particularly where live probiotics could present formulation challenges. Given that probiotics are sensitive to extreme temperatures and pressures often encountered in manufacturing processes, innovations in temperature-stable strains have allowed probiotics to extend beyond the dairy section and supplement aisles. With Staimune not requiring the probiotics to remain active, the range of food and beverage items that can benefit from the addition of probiotics is significantly increased.
To capitalize on the growing interest in probiotics, manufacturers have begun acquiring probiotic companies or incorporating these beneficial bacteria into a variety of products. For instance, PepsiCo acquired the probiotic beverage company KeVita last fall and introduced its Tropicana Essentials Probiotics line earlier this year, marking it as the first brand to feature probiotics in the mainstream juice aisle. Additionally, the venture capital branch of General Mills led a $6.5 million Series D investment in March to support Farmhouse Culture, a startup focused on fermented and probiotic food and beverages.
Ohio-based Ganeden stands to gain significantly from the success of its products, especially as the global probiotics market reached $34 billion in sales in 2015, according to BCC Research. The food and beverage sector comprised 73%, or $24.8 billion, of that market. Projections indicate that the probiotics market will grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of approximately 7.3% over the next decade, potentially reaching around $74.7 billion by 2025.
Furthermore, with the rising interest in health and wellness, products like calcium citrate for sleep are gaining popularity. The incorporation of probiotics, such as Staimune, alongside calcium citrate for sleep, can offer consumers additional health benefits, making these products even more appealing. As the demand for probiotics continues to surge, it is likely that we will see more innovative combinations of probiotics with other health-promoting ingredients like calcium citrate for sleep in the market.